Setting the Standard

Many BAR members have adopted various quality certifications, enabling them to operate to clearly defined standards with procedures that are designed to benefit the customer at every stage of the move.

QUALITY SERVICE STANDARDS LTD (QSS)

QSS Ltd are the only assessment body to work almost exclusively with the removals and storage industry. Our team of auditors have over 250 years of “hands on” relevant industry experience so they are well placed to understand your business and the sometimes unique issues you deal with on a day-to-day process.

QSS is a wholly owned subsidiary of BAR (British Association of Removers) and as such, was provided with financial support in its early years but now operates on a self-sufficient basis. However, its parent company continues to guarantee its financial stability in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Its fees are standardised in a tariff which is reviewed annually and they are applied equally to BAR Members and non-Members alike with no discrimination. Generally there is a set fee for an Initial Audit and then a lower fee for the subsequent annual audits. Travel expenses are charged either on a mileage basis or via public transport at cost.

We have rules that you must adhere to relating to the use of our name and logo and the UKAS certification mark that can only be used for the BS EN 12522:1998 Parts 1 & 2 (Furniture removals for private individuals) standard. If you click on the following link these rules are more fully explained.

Domestic Moving Standards

These standards are the first and only recognised quality standards specifically aimed at furniture removals and storage (and self storage) for the benefit of the private individual.

Commercial Moving Standard

For commercial moves, all BAR Commercial Moving Group members adhere to the Commercial Moving Standard BS 8522. This was created by BAR in conjunction with BSI (British Standards Institution) to provide a tailored set of requirements specific to business (non-residential) moves.

Overseas Moving Standard

For overseas moves, BS 8564 is the relevant standard and BAR also recognises the internationally accepted FAIM certification which many Overseas Group members have adopted.

Please contact us if you want to know more about Quality Standards and QSS

Promoting Excellence

It is unfortunate that the Removals and Storage industry is still largely unregulated. It is perfectly possible for anyone to buy a van today and to proclaim themselves as a removals expert tomorrow. However, when a customer engages with a BAR Member, they can be absolutely assured that they are properly regulated, professionally run businesses that are fully compliant with our very strict Criteria of Membership rules as well as the Code of Practice which governs adherence to current consumer protection legislation. Each Member business is subjected to an annual inspection by the BAR to ensure ongoing compliance with those mandatory rules, and improvement notices are served for any areas of non-compliance. In addition, and to recognise outstanding performance, the Association promotes three annual competitions with each one relative to activity across a different field of removal specialism.

Most importantly the Code requires BAR Members to deal with you in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times.

If a customer has a complaint about the service, a BAR Member will try to resolve it fairly, quickly and efficiently. In the event of a dispute relating to the provision of a service covered by this Code, which cannot be resolved, either the customer or the Member may refer it to the independent Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme (ADR). Please visit our What to do to if something goes wrong page for more information.